Chelsea captain John Terry played a big part in the career of Seattle's Roger Levesque - probably. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Preamble: Welcome to the Roger Levesque show. No offense to Chelsea, the Champions of (checks notes)...Europe, who are kicking off their American tour tonight - but their presence here is strictly a sideshow to the man so popular in his adopted hometown that they named a unit of time after him (mention "48 seconds" to a Seattle Sounders fan and watch the reaction). This, despite not being a first team regular, a big earner or a high scorer.

Tonight will be Roger Levesque's last game for the Sounders. The player is retiring to do his MBA and move into the non-profit world (the classic soccer player's retirement route...), after nine years at Seattle - from their time as a USL side to their triumphant return (with the original NASL name from the 70s) as an MLS team. While a player like Fredy Montero might score more spectacular goals, or be seen as more crucial to the team, Levesque has been a willing utility player who has gone out of his way to maintain a connection with the community around the team - he is known, rather than revered, around town, and that's just the way he likes it. So in some ways its perfectly apt that as the consummate MLS everyman, he should play his last game in front of his adopted home town fans against the multi-millionaire champions of Chelsea - one or two of whom could perhaps could do with a little reminder of how lucky they are to kick a ball for a handsome living. It's something Levesque has been explicitly grateful for, with much less financial incentive and you'd have to have a hard heart not to wish him well with what's next.

OK, now that our hearts are suitably warmed - here's John Terry!

I have honestly started the sentence to follow that one five times, without finding the will to finish it. Let's just say that Mr Chelsea's European Champions League winning team are on a tour that will next take in Paris St Germain at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, followed by the MLS All Stars on Wednesday in Philadelphia, then AC Milan in Miami the following weekend. Yes, let's just say that.

I'm sure there's much more to be said, but we have an evening's soccer (fair warning: this is a Guardian US blog so we're playing soccer rather than football tonight - and I may discuss cleats at some stage) to get through with plenty of opportunity to say it. So feel free to get your tweets and emails coming in to @KidWeil or graham.parker.freelance@guardiannews.com - just be sure to let me know if you're being sarcastic.

The clip in the previous section was of a tifo display put together by the Emerald City Supporters group, the largest of the Seattle supporters groups. Their ongoing tifo battles with Portland's Timbers Army are fast becoming the stuff of legend, as we reported here. Earlier this evening I spoke to ECS press rep and occasional Guardian previewer for Sounders games, Gregory Mockos, and he had this to say on Levesque:

ECS is particularly attached to Roger - he's one of those players who's been very adamant about giving his time to the fans and the community. And for our group he's important as he was one of the first players to openly acknowledge us - it helped cement that connection between the team and the fans. It's sad to see him retire, but it's going to be a good evening. And it would be cool if he could turn out for ECS FC sometime...

I also spoke to Sam Chesneau, another regular Guardian previewer for the Sounders, who was similarly smitten:

Roger Levesque is a class act, a beautiful human being and one could easily interpret him retiring when he decided to, to help the front office during the transfer period. He may be leaving the team, but he will forever be a member of our community and really just see his move as a transition and don't see him not continuing to be apart of the Sounders organization.

So of course it's impossible to read too much in to the line-ups for a friendly, and they'll be chopping and changing all night, but for what it's worth Chelsea bring in a lot of youth and reserves for this one - though Twitter's own Eden Hazard gets a start. It'll also be interesting to watch the prodigy Lukaku up front and this could be a key season for Josh McEachran playing just behind him too. Seattle start with a pretty much full strength side, though there's an argument to be made that Johnson and Montero might be the club's two best strikers, but not two who look wholly comfortable together. Johnson will be familiar to Chelsea fans from his days at Fulham, while Montero, on his day, can be a real handful. Those unfamiliar with the Seattle side, might want to watch out for the trickery of Fernandez and the box-tobox hustle of Alonso.

OK, so I've gone a little overboard, ahem, on Levesque, and while Seattle have regular attendances that would put them in the top ten of Premiership attendances, a lot of the fans tonight are here to see Chelsea. That's if they're not jaded with familiarity - Chelsea have played in Seattle twice before in recent years - starting a pre-season tour by playing against Celtic in the city in 2004, and beating the Sounders side of Kasey Keller, Freddie Ljungberg et al in 2009, to open another pre-season campaign.

Chelsea fans might like to know that starting a season in Seattle has historically been a good omen. On each previous occasion they did so, the Blues went on to win the league and a cup. So Roberto di Matteo, about to start his first full season as Chelsea manager, can add that little tradition to his pile of reasons to be cheerful (the one with a big Champions League trophy on top of it).

Speaking of Roberto di Matteo, I like to think that somewhere in the stadium innards right now the Chelsea manager is buttonholing Roger Levesque to tell him that a 48 second goal is positively sluggish...

.

And speaking of Cup goals, as we sort of were, the two sides are also the domestic Cup champions for their respective countries. Seattle have just made it through to their fourth consecutive US Open Cup final, and are hoping for a fourth consecutive win, that would be unprecedented in the competition's 99 year history. While Chelsea of course lifted the FA Cup in May.

What else? Um...Fredy Montero and Fernando Torres both wear headbands.

The teams are practically twins...

Almost ready: ESPN2 are showing the game in the US, and they've just shown the Chelsea side out and about in Seattle throwing some fish around at the market. Now Adrian Healey, Alexi Lalas and Taylor Twellman are going through the sides. I spent the Seattle game against the Red Bulls with them the the other day and very nice they were too. Twellman's really hit the ground running as an analyst.

Kick off is imminent...

Team huddles: They're rather large. What with the big squads lining up for this one. First mention of Levesque by Healey - he'll start as a sub. But he's been used to that lately.

2 mins: Immediately Chelsea go on the attack and Marin gets off a shot in the box, that Meredith has to get down to save.

3 mins: Now Seattle probe a little around the edge of the Chelsea box (the area where a well-worn trench appeared in Europe).

GOAL!:SEATTLE 0 CHELSEA 1 LUKAKU! Simple as you like, Lukaku barges past Parke like he isn't there and lashes an opener past Meredith. He looked very very strong there.

5 mins: Seattle were stunned by that start. Lukaku just peeled away as the through ball was played and made a beeline for goal. Seattle try to settle and get the ball down and play. Then a long ball through just evades Evans' control as he tries to spring the Chelsea back line.

7 mins: Now it's Marin's turn to get through on the same side as Lukaku scored from, but he can't wriggle free to get a clean shot off.

8 mins: Chance! some good work by Johnson sees the ball break free for the inventive Mauro Rosales just inside the box. He's free, but the ball is just behind him and he digs his shot up and over the bar. Better for the Sounders though.

9 mins: TURFWATCH. We're playing on grass on top of artificial turf, which is leading to the odd slip up here and there. Chelsea looking very sure-footed down the left side in particular though. Marin and Lukaku combine again on the edge of the box, but this time Seattle recover.

GOAL!:SEATTLE 0 CHELSEA 2 (HAZARD) Hazard spins off his marker (down the left side natch) and charges into the box, cuts back then shoots. It should probably have been saved but takes a cruel deflection up and over Meredith. Tough on Seattle, but they're very aware of the caliber of their opponents right now.

GOAL!:Seattle 1 Chelsea 2 (Montero) Awful defensive error gifts the ball to Fredy Montero on the edge of the box and he coolly slots past Hilario to almost immediately narrow the gap - having missed a chance to do so almost immediately after the second Chelsea goal. Montero has started scoring again - which will be good news for Seattle fans, regardless of what happens tonight.

16 mins: Montero breaks again and looks to thread the ball through for Fernandez, but Ivanovic manages to stick out a leg and just deflect it for a corner. The corner causes some havoc in the box and is hacked clear for another one - which also pinballs around the Blues box until Hilario is finally able to dive on it. Much more lively from the hosts.

19 mins: Chelsea trying to slow it down a little and then spring suddenly. They do so, but for now the moves are breaking down and Seattle come forward again. Suddenly Rosales swings a beautiful looking cross in, which Eddie Johnson reaches but can only glance wide. Still Seattle 1 Chelsea 2

21 mins: Free kick in a dangerous spot just outside the Seattle box, as Alonso is outstripped for pace and brings his man down. It's central. Luiz is over it. So too is Lukaku...

23 mins: Luiz half-heartedly spanks it into the Seattle wall and now the Rave Green will attack.

24 mins: Seattle's attack breaks down as Scott scampers past the Chelsea back line on the overlap but is well offside. Now Seattle break again and a through ball to Johnson ricochets back off his heels to Fernandez, who improvises a lovely chip that Hilario has to palm for a corner at full stretch. Seattle have been strong since their goal.

26 mins: Another Seattle corner and a great chance is missed by Fernandez. He got to the near post to flash a powerful header just wide - but he was uncontested and maybe should have done better.

28 mins: Chelsea attack down the left again but Evans is giving the exposed full back Scott more coverage now and the Sounders are looking less vulnerable there than in the first 10 minutes.

29 mins: Another ripple runs through the crowd as Seattle attack again, but for now there's a little drop in momentum. Chelsea pick up a free kick just inside the Seattle half as Hazard is bundled off the ball. But the Sounders press them back as they try to stroke the ball around. Still Seattle 1 Chelsea 2.

31 mins: Another great chance for Seattle as they break in numbers agin following a Chelsea error. Johnson feeds the ball left to Montero who tries to take a touch rather than hit it first time and just gives his defender time to poke the ball away for a corner. But...

GOAL!:SEATTLE 2 CHELSEA 2 (MONTERO) He did alright with that one... As Chelsea try to clear and break from the corner Evans breaks up the attack and a long ball cross field is just killed by Montero, who cuts inside and fires a shot across Hilario and into the corner. What a beautiful finish.

35 mins: Seattle are actually toying with Chelsea here now - really taking the game to the English side and moving the ball sharply on the edge of the box. Rosales lobs an inviting cross in that Montero just can't reach, then Johnson's shot is charged down. But Chelsea are wobbling now.

37 mins: Just as I say that Marin gets free on the left in the box, but with the Sounders new confidence they charge the ball down this time round. It's a shame we're likely to see so many changes as the game goes on - this is fascinating stuff.

39 mins: Samuel Chesneau is back - this time in his Twitter guise (@sherpaco): "@KidWeil its games like these where players with technical abilities, the caliber of Rosales, Montero & Fernandez can shine."

They're not doing their reputations any harm tonight - which might alarm Sam, as a Sounders fan...

GOAL!:SEATTLE 2 CHELSEA 3 (Parke OG). Very unlucky again for Seattle, though Chelsea counter-attacked very quickly. Marin streaked into space down the left again, but having cut back for the shot, he looked to have skewed it wide, only for it to strike the unfortunate Parke and deflect over Meredith. Cruel for the Sounders.

42 mins: Alexi Lalas has pointed out that Chelsea had way too much space in the build up to the goal, which is very true. And having praised Rosales inventiveness up front, he's been dispossessed in the build up to two of the Chelsea goals.

44 mins: Now Lukaku, who's been quiet since his goal, hits another firm shot from outside the box which is saved, but...

GOAL!:SEATTLE 2 CHELSEA 4 (LUKAKU) ... a moment later Lukaku just runs through the center of the Seattle defense and round Meredith to strike another one home. I guess two goals counts as a contribution.

Half time thoughts: Well that was pretty wild... Seattle were rocked on their heels by two quick goals and the MLS great and good must have been chewing their nails at the thought of an unanswered Chelsea onslaught. But Fredy Montero's goal gave the Sounders some belief and at 2-2 with half-time approaching, the game was nicely poised. But as sometimes happens when Seattle play dangerous opponents (think CCL quarter-finals), the raise in their attacking game was matched by defensive errors and naivety at the back. Chelsea didn't attack as much, but when they did they always looked dangerous and will be delighted to see their new boys get off the mark.

It would be nice to see similar line-ups for the start of the second half, but I expect line ups will start shaking up now...

"I was initially disappointed to see so many first-teamers in the Seattle lineup, but I suppose they don't have another match for ten days, so it's acceptable. As far as these mid-season money-spinners go, at least this one isn't terribly inconvenient. I hope Levesque gets a nice send-off tonight; I expect he will. The one nice thing about Big Club Chelsea being in town is our guys get to play on grass at home for once...

Any opinions on the Super Cyan from viewers abroad? I find it's a bit like cheap whiskey...a shock to the system at first, but increasingly welcome after that."

Super Cyan, in case you're wondering is the rather startling color that the Sounders are playing in tonight. It's minty fresh...

Meanwhile Jason Elliot writes:

"True there is some quality in MLS but a shame it's still the case that the influential players are by and large not American. Glad to have Montero in the league here, but just the same these games show it's not the home grown kids who are carrying it forward.

Ps I'm following your mbm on my mobile from Boston, so bless modern tech."

I don't think the tech's made in America either...

I take your point about tonight's Seattle standouts, but in some small mitigation, it should be noted that none of them are anywhere near American Chris Wondolowski in the MLS Golden Boot rankings.

Nearly off again: Taylor Twellman is enthusing about Eden Hazard's pace and creativity for Chelsea, but has some stern words for Rosales, whose giveaways were the common thread for three of Chelsea's goals - not that Chelsea weren't guilty of the same sin. Anyway second half is about to start...

Peep: Subbing starts as Josh Ford comes in for Meredith. Seven changes for Chelsea, which as a minute-by-minute blogger I can only swear at. Lampard in. I'll tell you that.

47 mins: So Seattle want to have a go a little while longer, while Chelsea are going to try and enjoy the workout. Essien's on too and he and Lampard try a little interplay to remind the new boys what the old guard can do. But the move breaks down.

49 mins: Chelsea pressing a little early - pushing Seattle back. The Sounders try to settle now. Cahill's on as well by the way. And De Bruyne. More as we get it. Montero tries an ambitious scoop from the edge of the box, but it drifts wide.

51 mins: Lukaku has a glimpse in the box again but he's shut down this time round, but then De Bruyne is fed on the edge of the box and cuts inside and fires one just over. The new look Chelsea side pressing. Still Seattle 2 Chelsea 4.

53 mins: Ivanovic gets the worst of a challenge with Montero, then Gonzalez crunches Ramires, but perfectly legally. Suddenly a Fernandez interception gives Seattle a break. He slots it forward for Johnson who slows down in his approach play, giving Cahill just enough time to deflect his eventual shot wide. First glimmer for Seattle. They waste the corner though.

55 mins: Chelsea generally playing further up the pitch in this half. Ramires gets down the right and cuts the ball delicately back for Lampard but he miscues his shot horribly and it goes out for a goal kick.

56 mins: If I didn't mention it before (I forget what happened more than two minutes ago), tonight's game is the first game in the summer series of the World Football Challenge. Fernandez tries some fancy trickery on the left, but his ball finds an offside Montero. No real sign of a Seattle comeback for what it's worth.

LEVESQUE IS WARMING UP!

58 mins: Seattle fans bouncing in their seats, as is their wont. Now their team have a free kick inside the Chelsea half. They work a short one then eventually Gonzalez knocks a cross in that's headed clear. Now Chelsea break...

60 mins: ...nothing comes of it, though Hutchinson, who's been on Chelsea's books since he was seven, looked lively again in the build up. We're going to see a couple of Seattle subs: Andy Rose comes on for Rosales and Patrick Ianni comes on for Parke.

62 mins: It's still SEATTLE 2 CHELSEA 4 - but Johnson tries to change that by finding space on the left of the box to cut back for Montero, but for once his touch lets him down. Then another chance as Fernandez sends a deft little cross across the six yard box, that the advancing Rose just fails to reach.

Four more Chelsea subs: Osgood, Harris, Zola, Butch Wilkins come on (as far as I can tell - I"ll try to catch up with them). Lukaku and Ivanovic two of the players off.

65 mins: HERE HE COMES! Johnson trots off and Roger Levesque comes on to the biggest cheer of the night. The back and forth chant of "Seaaaattle... Soouunders" is replaced by "Roooggeeeerr...Levesque" which is all rather lovely.

68 mins: Predictably the game has dampened down with all the substitutions, but a few of the Chelsea fringe players are trying to state their case. Brad Evans is down injured - that could be bad news for Seattle as he's a key regular for the Sounders. Hope he's ok.

70 mins: Evans is limping off. Worst case scenario for a friendly if he's picked up anything longer term. Ochoa will come on for him.

Before the chance to say a sentimental goodbye to a cult hero, a lot of Seattle's hardcore fans shared some skepticism about playing this friendly in the middle of a busy schedule - it being a quirk of the American domestic game that the season runs throughout the summer and other league's pre-seasons.

Game is back underway now, but Seattle coach Sigi Schmid will be worried about the fate of Evans.

74 mins: Now Chelsea's counter-attacking prowess kicks in as they break from a Seattle attack and Kakuta earns a corner. Nothing comes of it though. Carrasco in for Fernandez by the way.

76 mins: Seattle fans still making noise but they have less to cheer about this half. Lampard bursts forward on the edge of the box then lays a soft pass into the path of De Bruyne, who lofts how shot past the far upright, when he had time to place. Chelsea seeing this out relatively comfortably.

78 mins: We may be about to see another special Seattle substitute - Steve Zakuani is warming up, as he continues his rehabilitation. For those that don't know he had a horrible leg break 14 months ago, has just come back to make cameo appearances so far, but had a rather moving reconciliation with the man whose reckless tackle injured him, Brian Mullan, after a league game last week.

Both Seattle and Chelsea have half chances, but both are thwarted by last ditch tackles, as the game winds down.

81 mins: Montero gives Levesque a hug and makes his way off for Zakuani, who gets almost as big a cheer as Levesque. He's another popular player in the city - a former Arsenal player who's really taken to Seattle.

Ford is forced into a snap save from distance, but the rebound evades the hovering De Bruyne.

85 mins: Still SEATTLE 2 CHELSEA 4 as we head into the last 5 minutes. Seattle not having as many chances this half - which is fairly understandable given the steep drop off that tends to happen from MLS first XI's to their squad players. They're all still working hard though. A Chelsea attack breaks down as the ball is scooped high and wide by Essien from the edge of the box. What does the future hold for him in this new look Chelsea side, this season?

87 mins: Briefly Chelsea have 3 on 3, but there's no urgency and Seattle get men back behind the ball. Finally De Bruyne has yet another shot from outside the box, but he can't get his shot on target.

89 mins: Chelsea playing decent possession football to count down the clock, but Seattle might have one last chance. A long ball is headed only as far as Zakuani, whose shot is charged down, then Seattle pick up a corner...

91 mins: ...so close to the fairy tale finish for Levesque, as the corner is met with a firm header that strikes him on the line without him having time to turn and direct it home. And that'll be that for the game and Levesque's career...

Final thoughts: Well both sides had plenty to smile about, with just a few reservations. Chelsea's new boys Marin, De Bruyne, Lukaku and Hazard all showed plenty on the ball and the first impression is that they're going to be a more dynamic side up front this year, with more movement off Lukaku - who looked very strong. They won't be happy about the defensive errors that let Seattle back into it, though if they have to happen anytime, pre-season is the best time.

Seattle meanwhile, can look at how their first string troubled Chelsea in the first half, and give thanks for the inventiveness of Rosales, Fernandez, Johnson and of course Montero. The latter two actually looked good together tonight, with Rosales and Fernandez pulling the strings around them. But they were undone by easy turnovers in bad positions and of course the loss of Brad Evans, if it proves serious, will be seized on by opponents of mid-season friendlies.

Still Seattle have a ten day break now, while Chelsea move on to New York where PSG and Ibrahimovic wait on Sunday.

That's all from me. Thanks for your tweets and emails. Sorry I didn't get to use them all. Good night.